Shaker Woods ~ Festival Articles

Chrystal: Honoring Late Father Fuels Family Food Business

Growing up in a family where food and cooking were a way of life, Pat Chrystal always felt right at home in the kitchen. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends so much that he and a partner renovated and opened the Open Hearth Grill on Youngstown’s west side. Customers not only enjoyed the meals but also Pat’s camaraderie and humor.

Pat’s passion for cooking didn’t go unnoticed by his son Patrick. Patrick helped out in the kitchen at the Open Hearth Grill while in high school, then attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., where he earned bachelor’s degrees in culinary arts and hospitality and event management.

Patrick trained on the east coast throughout Providence and Newport, as well as in Marlboro, Mass, then returned to Youngstown to pursue his dream of owning a restaurant “back home.”

Patrick, his parents Pat and Sandy, and his sister Shawn were all involved in Patrick’s Chophouse at Lock 24 in Lisbon.

Patrick created a recipe for stuffed Hungarian hot peppers that he and his Dad began making for friends, Irish conventions and golf outings. The hot pepper sandwiches were so well liked that people began hinting the duo should take them on the road! Sadly, Patrick passed away in 2007.

In honor of Patrick’s memory, Pat built a food trailer and “Patty McPeppers and his Irish Tenders” was born. Menu items consisting of stuffed hot Hungarian peppers, barbecued pork tenderloin, Guinness brat sandwiches and Rueben rolls were a hit with the customers he and his brother, Pete, served at various special events.

Some years later, Pat and Pete met a man who imported brick pizza ovens from Italy. From that chance meeting, Pete’s-A-Place was born. Pat designed and built the trailer that houses their pizza oven from the ground up. After much experimenting, they’re now known for some of the best pizzas in Ohio.

What started as a hobby and love of stuffed hot peppers has evolved into being part of the Shaker Woods Festival family. Pat and Pete couldn’t be more excited! Current Menu: • Stuffed Hot Hungarian Pepper Sandwich • Various Wood Fired Pizzas